Leitrim LGFA & GAA titles on the line in hectic Club weekend

A hectic two days of club action has got even busier with the addition of next Sunday's Connacht Gold SFC Semi-Final replay but next weekend will see the first silverware lifted with three Leitrim LGFA Finals.

We've already had a look at the Sweeney Oil LGFA SFC Final elsewhere while there isn't much to add to last week's preview of the Intermediate Final, the game between Drumkeerin & Dromahair refixed for this Friday in Kiltubrid after Storm Amy put paid to the game last Saturday.

Below we take a brief look at the other games down for decision:

CONNACHT GOLD SFC FINAL REPLAY

Hard to know what to think about this game - we can go with all the cliches about who will learn most from the drawn game or who has the ability to lift themselves to higher heights but to be honest, it might come down to the weather once more or the injury report after the drawn game. Fenagh were  passive in the first half and Ballinamore didn't make enough of the wind yet O'Heslins  wasted two great goal chances in extra time so what do you take from that?

You've got to think Fenagh have a bit more room for improvement but that is hard to quantify - Ruairi O'Rourke is a great addition but they will need to pose a greater goal threat to get past a Ballinamore team who were rocked on their heels a few times but never cracked. I went against the grain around the county last week in giving the nod to  Fenagh but I'm more conflicted that ever after Sunday's draw! Both will take a lot from the draw, both have plenty to work on - this really is anybody's guess!

SWEENEY OIL LGFA JUNIOR FINAL

From the word go, it looked as if Annaduff v Keeldra Gaels would end up in this Junior decider and that was how it ended. On paper, it looks like an even match with just two points between them in scoring difference, Annaduff just ahead with 108 to Keeldra's 106. But look beyond the bald numbers and there is a sense that Annaduff are heavy favourites for this one - their scoring was affected by a walkover in one game and they have the best defence, conceding an average of less than ten points a game to Keeldra's 11. ppg. Their scoring rate sees Annaduff average 36.75 ppg compared to Keeldra's 32.8.

There is also one other factor - Annaduff inflicted a 3-17 to 3-11 defeat on Keeldra away from home so all the signs would suggest that Annaduff have too much firepower. But Keeldra have big time final experience, this their third final on the trot and they had the chances to beat Annaduff two years ago in the decider. The Gortletteragh & Cloone women also score a lot of goals, 28 to Annaduff's 21 and that could be a deciding factor in a tight game. The odds, however, are with Annaduff but the odds have been wrong before. Annaduff to take the win after a tight battle.

SMITH MONUMENTALS IFC SEMI-FINALS

St Patrick’s Dromahair v Drumkeerin: As derbies go, the meeting of Drumkeerin and Dromahair is as hard fought as any and if the group stage meeting is anything to go by, where the men in maroon prevailed by two points  to secure an automatic semi final, all we should expect is a tight and tough battle. Both teams have been incredibly consistent with the odd hiccup.  Drumkeerin needed an injury time goal to sneak by St Mary's second string while Dromahair had a draw with Annaduff and narrow wins over Gortletteragh & Ballinaglera.

That mood music may have been changed by their quarter final win over Bornacoola, a game where they were in danger of being wiped out in the first quarter only to dig in and secure a hard fought four point win. Drumkeerin and the other teams in the competition will have noted Dromahair's exposure in the backline but Dromahair took steps to remedy it during the game and the mental lift they will have got by coming through such a tough encounter is incalculable.

Drumkeerin have quietly gone about their business without much fanfare or fuss.  They have the third best defence in the competition, only one point less than their opponents on Saturday but they've averaged 17.5 points a game while Dromahair are averaging 15.4, which includes their Quarter-Final tally, so a slight advantage to Drumkeerin. What really stands to Drumkeerin is that they've come through quite a few close calls this year and their experience of reaching last year's semi-finals where they lost out to a powerful Allen Gaels means they've got a slight edge in experience at this stage.

Dromahair have been battling injuries all year and if they get a few more of their players back, it will give them options. Dromahair have the ability to get big scores if they cut loose but will Drumkeerin allow that? This game could go either way, nothing would surprise you here but the fact that Dromahair have had a quarter final could prove a difference!

Allen Gaels v Annaduff: Not wishing to be disrespectful to the other semi finalists but when this pairing came out, I heard more than one say this is the real final - last year's finalists and favourites Allen Gaels against an Annaduff team who beat them two years ago on their way to winning the title. I'd imagine that semi final two years ago will get a lot of reference in Drumshanbo this week because, apart from the trauma of losing last year's final, the 2023 semi final still sticks in their craw, the Gaels scoring 18 points but still losing to a Darren Cox inspired Annaduff who landed 4-10.

Annaduff look to be every bit as potent, their semi final destruction of a Carrigallen side who held the Gaels to their lowest winning margin and lowest scoring total, could be read as a sign but the Gaels still won by 13 and hit 22 points. Both teams conceded 43 points in the group stages but Allen Gaels' attack, boosted by the addition of Kieran Kilcline, is running up staggering scores, an average of 29 points a game. Can Annaduff's defence slow that scoring rate down or can the Gaels defence be exposed?

Darren Cox is a potential match winner but Allen Gaels will watch him closely. Kyle Russell & Senan Mooney can land scores but it is hard to escape the feeling that this Drumshanbo outfit just has too much scoring power in Kilcline, the Mulvey's, Caleb Duffy, Ciaran Walsh and Ciaran McMorrow. Underdog status will suit Annaduff down to the ground, they'll relish it in fact but you've got to think that the Gaels are on a mission and won't let the occasion pass them by this time. This could be a classic but you have to think Allen Gaels will prevail.

CONNACHT GOLD SFC RELEGATION FINAL REPLAY

The big question everyone is asking is did Melvin Gaels miss their chance the first day out and can they reproduce what they showed the first day in Ballinaglera against St Mary's?  My feeling is yes they can, having witnessed them cause problems for a Leitrim Gaels team now in the Senior Final. But the bigger question is can St Mary's lift themselves - League winners and  among the favourites for the Fenagh Cup, they are treading a perilous line right now. Maybe Mary's will be shocked into action, I don't know and the Gaels truly have nothing to lose. If pushed, a  tentative nod for St Mary's but don't put the house on it!

SWEENEY OIL LGFA SENIOR RELEGATION FINAL

There were just three points between these teams in the group stages but St Francis were the more competitive side against the other teams, registering a win against St Mary's and testing both Senior finalists. Kiltubrid will battle as if their lives depended on it but you've got to think that St Francis have the edge here.